Mysterious Mrs. Pansy

“The theme, Ice and Fire, emphasizes the duality of an elegant and passionate woman. However, your performance was all about passion and lacked elegance,” Jane commented calmly.

Annie was visibly displeased with Jane’s critique. “I don’t think so.”

“Do you have any experience with commercial shoots? If not, kindly keep your opinions to yourself,” Annie retorted, incredulous that Jane had the audacity to criticize her in front of so many people.

Annie believed that Jane was just a secretary, whereas she was Bruce’s girlfriend. Witnessing Annie’s arrogance and refusal to heed her advice, Jane smiled slightly.

“I understand that, as a spokesperson, you need to highlight the product’s main feature. If you can’t do that, I’ll have to find someone else to replace you.”

“What?” Annie was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Jane to be so unyielding.

“Darling, my performance can’t be that terrible, can it?” Annie looked at Bruce suggestively.

Bruce rose from his seat and approached Annie. “Jane is right. Let’s do it again as she instructed.”

Annie was left shocked. She had anticipated that Bruce would reprimand Jane on her behalf, but instead, he supported Jane’s stance.

Annie shot Jane a wary glance, then collected herself and forced a smile. “Alright, I’ll give it another shot.”

However, regardless of how many attempts Annie made, Jane couldn’t detect elegance in her performance.

“No!” Jane stopped Annie multiple times, providing instructions on how to execute the scene with grace. However, Annie grew increasingly uncooperative, and her performance deteriorated.

Jane’s eyes, which had been warm and lovely, turned cold. She pulled Annie aside and began demonstrating the proper technique herself.

“Lower your head slightly, raise your hand gracefully, and place more emphasis on your eyes. You need to convey elegance and unattainability.”

Jane stood beside Osborn, demonstrating with precision and vividness the elegance the scene required. The photographer, inspired, snapped his fingers in approval.

Osborn and Jane, both striking and seemingly a perfect match, stood side by side.

Patrick, who had been silent, suddenly rose to his feet, his eyes chillingly frigid.

As he made his way through the crowd, a strange coldness swept over those in his path. Patrick advanced directly to the set, where he drew Osborn aside, positioned himself beside Jane, and declared coldly, “I’ll do it!”

“What?” Jane stared at Patrick, astonished. She couldn’t fathom what had provoked Patrick this time.

Patrick shot her an angry glance and queried, “Weren’t you demonstrating? I’ll do the demonstration with you.”

He smiled coldly.

Jane’s flirtation with Osborn had obviously incensed Patrick, leading him to think that she was growing increasingly audacious. However, she had a valid excuse that worked.

Patrick couldn’t stand idly by. Jane was left speechless. To her, it was only a commercial, and there was no need for Patrick to demonstrate.

Osborn, too, was rendered momentarily speechless. After all, he was a renowned movie star; he had no need for Patrick’s demonstration.

Nevertheless, Patrick assumed his position on the stage with the air of a talented individual, drawing the attention of onlookers and demonstrating that he was in no way inferior to Osborn.

“This is perfect!” The photographer’s eyes sparkled in amazement.

With Patrick, Jane seemed even more compatible than with Osborn.

“That’s enough, Patrick. Let the main actors for today’s shoot take over,” Jane stated firmly, staring at Annie’s irate countenance and Osborn’s forlorn eyes.

The light fixtures above the stage began to shake violently. Jane was about to leave when she looked up and noticed a glass ceiling lamp hurtling toward her.

“Watch out!”

Three voices cried out simultaneously.

Patrick, Osborn, and Bruce all yelled at once.

However, it was Patrick who immediately sprang into action. He encircled Jane’s waist and fell to the ground, shielding her with his body.

Jane felt disoriented and crumpled in Patrick’s arms. Simultaneously, the lamp crashed onto the floor, shattering into countless shards.

Jane’s leg was grazed by the flying glass, and blood spurted out, staining her white dress a shocking shade of red.

“Are you okay? Let’s get you to the hospital,” Patrick’s eyes were filled with concern. He swiftly scooped Jane up. “Please put me down,” Jane pleaded.

“Don’t move! You’re injured,” Patrick commanded, his arms unyielding.

Patrick carried Jane out of the studio, and the onlookers stared as they went. Jane flushed as she nestled against Patrick’s chest.

His strong arms held her securely, and she could feel his warm breath. The two were so close that she could hear his steady heartbeat.

Jane spotted Florence glaring at her as she exited the studio. Intentionally, she wrapped her arms around Patrick’s neck. “Where are you going, Patrick?”

Florence stood by the studio’s entrance, having witnessed what unfolded on the stage. She had expected Jane to be gravely injured or even killed if the lamp had struck her. To her surprise, Patrick had risked his life to protect her and was now carrying her securely in his arms. Florence was consumed by jealousy.

She had intended to detain Patrick by tugging at him, but when he cast her an icy look, she immediately let go.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Patrick drove Jane to the hospital, where a doctor examined her wound and reassured her, “You’re fortunate. The cut isn’t deep. A bit of ointment will do the trick, and you’ll be back to normal in a few days.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Jane replied with a grateful smile. In reality, it was only a minor injury, and there was no need for Patrick to have taken her to the hospital.

“That’s good news.” Patrick’s tense expression relaxed slightly as he realized that Jane had only suffered a minor injury. “Don’t return to the office today. I’ll drive you home so you can get some rest.”

Patrick carried Jane back to the car, his gaze softening as he observed her lack of resistance. He secured her seatbelt.

Just as he was about to start the car, Jane posed a calm question. “Patrick, do you think today’s incident was an accident?”